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WILL MY SECOND LABOUR BE DIFFERENT? YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Second labour
Dr Shauna Fannin
Medically reviewed by
17th Aug 2021
 

If you are pregnant and have given birth before, then you may wonder how your labour will be different second time around.

Will labour be shorter or longer this time? Will my second baby be bigger? Will I need a caesarean section again if I’ve had one previously?

To help you understand what will happen – and what will be different - here are answers to some of the most common questions surrounding labour with a second child.

COMMON QUESTIONS SURROUNDING A SECOND LABOUR

Will labour signs and symptoms be different second time around?

Every labour is different and doesn’t necessarily follow the pattern of the first. However, in general the biggest change in regards to your second labour is that your contractions will probably become stronger more quickly, which means you are likely to get to the pushing stage of labour faster than the first time. Particularly if you had a fast labour and birth before you might want to think about getting to the birthing unit more quickly once labour starts.

How long does labour last with a second baby?

That’s harder to say as obviously every birth is different, but overall your second labour is likely to be quicker. The pushing part of labour is also likely to be shorter as your pelvic floor muscles and vagina have previously been stretched during the first birth.

Overall, for first-time mums, the process of labour – from when labour is established to birth - lasts around eight to twelve hours. But for women who've had a baby before, this goes down to around 5 hours.

Will my second labour be less painful?

Your contractions will feel the same as last time, but the difference in your second labour is that you know what to expect, so you may find you are better able to cope this time.

Will a large age gap between children make a difference to my labour experience?

The age gap between your children will make no difference to the labour, although how you approach it may be much different – as you may have a new partner, for instance, or choose to give birth in a different place.

Also, if the age gap means you are around or over the age of 40, then there is an increased risk of problems during labour due to your age. So, you will probably be offered extra monitoring and may be offered an induction earlier than when you were younger. But these are purely precautions, rather than an indication that something is going to go wrong.

If I had a c-section during my last labour, must I have one again?

Not necessarily, it depends on the reason why you needed one. Talk it over with your healthcare team - in many cases a vaginal birth can be safely planned, which is known as a VBAC ‘vaginal birth after caesarean section’. This has benefits – such as a shorter stay in hospital post-delivery, but does also carry risks with it – such as an emergency caesarean being needed.  Around 3 in 4 women who have had one previous caesarean section go on to have a normal vaginal birth.

The other option is to have a planned repeat caesarean section (ERCS), which can avoid the risks associated with VBAC. But – as with any caesarean – your post-delivery hospital stay and recovery period will be longer.

It is always your choice, although the doctor may recommend one option or the other, given your circumstances. The reasons for recommending an option will always be explained to you.

If my first baby was premature, will it happen again?

Not necessarily, but a previous premature baby does mean it is more likely in a second birth and any future pregnancies.

What should I do if I’m feeling scared about my second labour?

If your first birth was traumatic then you may well be worried about a second labour – that is perfectly normal. And you may be worried even if the first birth was completely normal.

Either way, you have done nothing wrong – it is very common to feel nervous about giving birth. Speak to your GP and/or midwife about how you’re feeling, who will give you the support you need.  You can also get help from the Birth Trauma Association, which is a charity that helps women who have been through a traumatic birthing experience.







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